While many industries are struggling with layoffs and downsizing, healthcare organizations are hustling to find and hire new staff for a variety of positions. Here are four of the hiring challenges healthcare organizations must deal with:
- A surge in clinical and non-clinical hiring. HR and managers must be prepared to juggle hiring for a wide range of positions at once. These include not only physicians, nurses, and CNAs but also patient transporters, respiratory specialists, janitorial/housekeeping staff, and kitchen workers.
- The need to hire and onboard quickly. More than ever, it is necessary to have a screening process in place that prioritizes efficiency as well as quality. Background and reference checks, as well as other due diligence, will be key to ensuring that only capable, skilled employees are hired.
- Loss of baby boomers. While many people between the ages of 56 and 74 are planning or considering retirement, many of them are accelerating their plans due to their higher risk for contracting the coronavirus.
- Non-employee talent. While hiring temps and contract workers might help fill some gaps during the pandemic, employers need to pursue these solutions cautiously. They need to make sure they don’t end up with workers who could expose their organization to increased risk for patient injury or death, legal action, or loss of accreditation or status.